UK Politics

[steviewevie]

9 hours ago, lazyred said:

I learnt one thing today. You don't have to be an MP or a lord to be the prime minister.

really? So why can't Burnham just be prime minister? or Chris Packham, Michael Palin, Martin Lewis or David Attenborough? Or Liam Gallagher? Or me??

[steviewevie]

So...where are I think...Streeting might have the numbers, but if he goes for it then so will another like Miliband and he'd lose. Rayner might not have the numbers, and knows she's unpopular. Burnham still has a lot of hurdles before he could be a contender. Miliband doesn't want it, but would go for it if Streeting does. Mahmood knows she'd lose against anyone. So, for now Starmer stays put, but not sure for how much longer.

[steviewevie]

 

[xxialac]

20 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

So...where are I think...Streeting might have the numbers, but if he goes for it then so will another like Miliband and he'd lose. Rayner might not have the numbers, and knows she's unpopular. Burnham still has a lot of hurdles before he could be a contender. Miliband doesn't want it, but would go for it if Streeting does. Mahmood knows she'd lose against anyone. So, for now Starmer stays put, but not sure for how much longer.

Streeting's chance was yesterday. All the momentum is lost. No one is going for it for now (albeit it's on pause not cancelled).

[lazyred]

17 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

really? So why can't Burnham just be prime minister? or Chris Packham, Michael Palin, Martin Lewis or David Attenborough? Or Liam Gallagher? Or me??

They could, even you. Apparently its all to do with how the cabinet and prime minister developed out of the Privy Council.

Our King technically appoints the Canadian PM under a similar system  and Mark Carney was party leader and PM before he was in their Parliament.

It's also how Farage could get in and then appoint his dodgy donors to be cabinet ministers.

[steviewevie]

[lazyred]

26 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

So...where are I think...Streeting might have the numbers, but if he goes for it then so will another like Miliband and he'd lose. Rayner might not have the numbers, and knows she's unpopular. Burnham still has a lot of hurdles before he could be a contender. Miliband doesn't want it, but would go for it if Streeting does. Mahmood knows she'd lose against anyone. So, for now Starmer stays put, but not sure for how much longer.

That's a good summary. They all hate their rivals more than they hate Starmer.

[steviewevie]

Maybe Charles will look at his speech and just say, you know what...this is just more of the same...get Burnham.

[xxialac]

Labour under Burnham or whoever are doomed to be unpopular - too much bad feeling towards them and the economy that is on its arse for the next couple of years mostly due to external factors. The Tories are irrelevant. The Greens are peaking too soon.

 

Unless Farage is forced to resign by a new scandal, Reform have already won.

[steviewevie]

1 minute ago, xxialac said:

Labour under Burnham or whoever are doomed to be unpopular - too much bad feeling towards them and the economy that is on its arse for the next couple of years mostly due to external factors. The Tories are irrelevant. The Greens are peaking too soon.

 

Unless Farage is forced to resign by a new scandal, Reform have already won.

Unless the anti-Reform vote sorts itself out and votes tactically to stop them?

Plus, they are still polling at about 28%, their peak has been 30, if they want an overall majority they probably need to get to 35. 

[xxialac]

3 minutes ago, steviewevie said:

Unless the anti-Reform vote sorts itself out and votes tactically to stop them?

Plus, they are still polling at about 28%, their peak has been 30, if they want an overall majority they probably need to get to 35. 

You are right but I was envisaging a coalition with Tories. The Tories would rather be junior partners than forever irrelevant. And given the weakness of the other parties Reform and the dire state of the economy they might even get to 35.

[steviewevie]

Just now, xxialac said:

You are right but I was envisaging a coalition with Tories. The Tories would rather be junior partners than forever irrelevant. And given the weakness of the other parties Reform and the dire state of the economy they might even get to 35.

Yeah, think Reform+Tories is most likely outcome at moment. But it's still probably 3 years until the next election, a lot can still happen...but what you said previously about the hit to the economy from Iran/Hormuz is going to make it real tough for this government, another load of energy and food inflation will be a killer. I think Labour's best chances is a shiny new leader comes in after the worst of it is over and then makes some bold promises on EU, devolution, electoral reform, social care etc to try and win back Green voters, and maybe that plus the fear of Farage as PM could do it. Have to see.

[xxialac]

Labour's only hope is a shiny new leader indeed. Trouble is they haven't got one in their ranks! Tories had the same problem...

Can't see a single one of the favourites connecting with the electorate.

I was thinking there's a path where Darren Jones become the next Chancellor under Burnham and then they replace Burnham with him...but although Jones is good he still doesn't have enough charisma and the public want charisma.

[steviewevie]

what kind of annoys me is when people keep saying Labour need to more for the working class. Like what?

[steviewevie]

2 minutes ago, xxialac said:

Labour's only hope is a shiny new leader indeed. Trouble is they haven't got one in their ranks! Tories had the same problem...

Can't see a single one of the favourites connecting with the electorate.

I was thinking there's a path where Darren Jones become the next Chancellor under Burnham and then they replace Burnham with him...but although Jones is good he still doesn't have enough charisma and the public want charisma.

Streeting has charisma.

But Labour don't want Streeting.

[steviewevie]

Labour wants Burnham, and not Streeting.

 

Whereas the markets...

..and herein lies the problem

[xxialac]

There are all sorts of problems with every potential leader.

Streeting is certainly very articulate and intelligent and seems comfortable in his own skin but he still doesn't have sufficient charisma to win over voters or to look like a statesman. Plus the establishment won't like him because how he pronounces health is closer to healf and see his first name as chavvy. Some of the public will be suspicious of him because in their minds he's "different" (gay). And his own party is split and will never get fully behind him.

[lazyred]

5 minutes ago, xxialac said:

There are all sorts of problems with every potential leader.

Streeting is certainly very articulate and intelligent and seems comfortable in his own skin but he still doesn't have sufficient charisma to win over voters or to look like a statesman. Plus the establishment won't like him because how he pronounces health is closer to healf and see his first name as chavvy. Some of the public will be suspicious of him because in their minds he's "different" (gay). And his own party is split and will never get fully behind him.

Streeting is easily the best candidate for the voters just not the party. Burnham is the second best and is acceptable to the party. The markets will need reassurance whatever happens.

[xxialac]

You really think voters will express any enthusiasm for Prime Minister Wes? I just don't see it. He's no Blair. He's not a Tory with all the media and establishment behind him.

[steviewevie]

Yeah I think polling shows Burnham is more popular with the public than any of them. But that doesn't mean he'd make the best prime minister. 

I don't think Burnham is that left wing,  but he's made those noises because he knows what wins you the labour leadership.

[sheffinghell]

Streeting is largely funded by private healthcare lobbyists. This alone makes him unpalatable for a lot of people. His backing for Palantir to take ownership of an NHS data platform is also problematic. He has not been supportive of trans issues and is against assisted dying. Whilst a lot of this of more concern to activists, some voter demographics, and especially those they are losing to Greens will be all over it too.

[xxialac]

2 minutes ago, sheffinghell said:

Streeting is largely funded by private healthcare lobbyists. This alone makes him unpalatable for a lot of people. His backing for Palantir to take ownership of an NHS data platform is also problematic. He has not been supportive of trans issues and is against assisted dying. Whilst a lot of this of more concern to activists, some voter demographics, and especially those they are losing to Greens will be all over it too.

He also suffers from the same 'slightly odd face problem' as Starmer.

 

Jesus it's superficial and I wish I didn't have to write this but it absolutely matters to voters.

[kaosmark2]

11 minutes ago, sheffinghell said:

Streeting is largely funded by private healthcare lobbyists. This alone makes him unpalatable for a lot of people. His backing for Palantir to take ownership of an NHS data platform is also problematic. He has not been supportive of trans issues and is against assisted dying. Whilst a lot of this of more concern to activists, some voter demographics, and especially those they are losing to Greens will be all over it too.

I think if anything this is underplaying it. He's just straight up evil and hiding it behind the type of smarm that and sycophancy that boomers love. 

 

He's the one behind Labour's attacks on disabled people, the cuts to mental health.

[kaosmark2]

46 minutes ago, xxialac said:

You really think voters will express any enthusiasm for Prime Minister Wes? I just don't see it. He's no Blair. He's not a Tory with all the media and establishment behind him.

He's worse than the Tories.

[steviewevie]

19 minutes ago, sheffinghell said:

Streeting is largely funded by private healthcare lobbyists. This alone makes him unpalatable for a lot of people. His backing for Palantir to take ownership of an NHS data platform is also problematic. He has not been supportive of trans issues and is against assisted dying. Whilst a lot of this of more concern to activists, some voter demographics, and especially those they are losing to Greens will be all over it too.

Yeah but apart from all that...